He had Ellie Goulding perform at his wedding and booked Pharrell and Kanye for the Concert For Diana, and now Prince William continues to hover his finger at least vaguely near the pulse, singing with pop-country star Taylor Swift and rock veteran Jon Bon Jovi on a cover of the latter's Livin' On A Prayer.

The ad hoc performance took place at the Winter Whites charity gala, hosted by the Duke of Cambridge at Kensington Palace to raise money for homeless charity Centrepoint. Leading Swift up to join Bon Jovi, William adjusted his cuffs in the manner of a cologne advert model, did some low-key 'soulful' fingerclicks, and then gathered around the mic for the classic chorus. With Bon Jovi taking the low notes and playing acoustic guitar, and Swift going for the big karaoke top line, William went for a well-executed mid-range harmony.

Taylor Swift, so close to unfurling devil horns, sings with Prince William and Jon Bon Jovi. Photograph: Dominic Lipinski/PA

Elsewhere during the evening, Tinie Tempah performed an acoustic version of Written In The Stars, and Swift performed her hit Trouble, as well as Love Story, which she said "has reference to palaces, princes and princesses and it is very strange that I end up playing it in a palace... I don't think I've ever played at a palace before, so it is really wonderful." She was full of praise for William, saying "they've done an amazing job of putting this together", echoed by Bon Jovi, whose JBJ Soul Foundation also tackles homelessness and poverty. "We came to join forces if you will, and throw a little international light on our foundation," he said.

Swift was also wrongfooted by some questions about Prince George from The Times's royal correspondant, tellling him "I love your accent, but I just don't know what you're saying."

Stuart Heritage: We still can't quite come to terms with the sight of Wills sharing a microphone with Jon Bon Jovi and Taylor Swift. But plenty of dignitaries have wowed us with their singing and dancing before him